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apart under the Act of 1878; but, with regard to these lands, His Excellency will be advised to proclaim them under the provisions of sections 50 and 53 of the Land Act of last session, in the proportions of one-third perpetual leasehold and two-thirds for sale, if requested to do so by the Commissioners, in terms of the Act. The dealing with the other lands can best be determined when the surveys are ready, and after it is seen how the twenty thousand acres are taken up. Chairman, School Commissioners, High Street, Dunedin. W. Rolleston.

N0.'17. The School Commissionebs, Dunedin, to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 10th April, 1883. ' At special meeting of School Commissioners held this day the following resolution was passed:—■ " Having considered, at request of Government, dealing with twenty thousand acres, comprising surveyed land at Waikaia, Wendon, and Wendonside, now recommend that one-third of the land in question be proclaimed under provisions section 50, " Land Act 1877 Amendment Act 1822," remaining two-thirds of land to be proclaimed under provisions of section 53 of same Act, with view of the said two-thirds being opened for sale in equal proportion for cash and deferred-payment, the sections to be alternated." Please reply early if this meets approval of Government. J. P. Maitland, Minister of Lands, Wellington. Chairman, School Commissioners.

No. 18. The Hon. the Minister of Lands to the -School Commissioners, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 10th April, 1883. Government approve of proposals of Commissioners as telegraphed to-day. Immediate action will be taken by Land Department here. W. Rolleston. Chairman, School Commissioners, Land Office, Dunedin.

No. 19. The School Commissionebs, Dunedin, to the Secbbtaby, Education Department. School Commissioners of Otago. (Memorandum.) Education Eeserves Office, Dunedin, 28th July, 1883. On behalf of the School Commissioners, I have the honour to request you to take the necessary steps to have the Proclamation given under the hand of His Excellency the Governor on the 9th May, 1879, in as far as it applies to Sections 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, Block %., Waikaia, revoked, with a view to having Sections 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9,10, and 11 offered for occupation on perpetual lease under the provisions of " The Land Act 1877 Amendment Act, 1882." In their present shape the sections have proved unsaleable, but by offering them in such a way that two might be taken together the objection to their shape would be in a great measure surmounted, and the Commissioners are informed by local authorities that they would be taken up. Owing to a mistake in the coloured map supplied from Wellington showing the Waikaia runs, Section 12 was included with Run 327, recently leased, and, as it consists of very rough land, the Commissioners desire to let it go along with the run. As per my letter to the Hon. the Minister of Lands dated 21st November last, the Commissioners formerly decided to endeavour to sell Section 404 a, Hokonui, on pastoral deferred payment, but, in consequence of having received a memorial from residents in its neighbourhood asking that part of it should be sold in sections of from 100 to 320 acres on deferred payment as arable land, and part in sections not exceeding 750 acres as pastoral deferred-payment land, they have reconsidered the matter and agreed to the recommendation of the petitioners. The land has not yet been surveyed, and the Commissioners will be glad if you obtain the necessary consent from His Excellency the Governor to its being dealt with as proposed. In the event of the sale being approved of, instructions might be given to the Survey Department to have the survey gone on with at once. The land is at present being occupied by the Agricultural Company of New Zealand, during the pleasure of the Commissioners, at a low rental. J. P. Maitland, The Secretary, Education Department, Wellington. Chairman.

No. 20. The Undeb-Secretary for Lands to the School Commissionebs, Dunedin. (Telegram.) Wellington, 28th September, 1883. Referring to your letter of 21st November, 1882, asking Minister of Lands to concur in proposals of Commissioners with regard to dealing with education reserves in Hokonui District, also run No. 88, Wyndhani, will you please forward request of Commissioners, as required by section 53,